Wandsworth children aged between 10 and 13 can help their environment by planting a tree during the 27th National Tree Week, which aims to increase young people's involvement in tree-planting and related activities.

A special website has been set up for the event, which runs until December 2, taking as its theme, Imagine a World Without Trees.

The site can show young people how to germinate their own trees by gathering and planting seeds from their favourites, such as acorns, beech nuts, horse chestnuts, the fruits of apple or rowan or birch and alder cones.

They should see seedlings sprouting in two months and a small tree in about two years.

Children are also encouraged to get involved in the Tree Council's silver jubilee launch of a new campaign to ensure the survival of young trees, of which only 50 per cent planted currently make it into adulthood.

Soil around young trees should be moist, weeds regularly pulled up, ties kept loose and dead branches removed.

Tree lovers are also being asked to help the Tree Council's national grid tree warden scheme by collating information on trees which have links with famous people or legends.

Tree Council spokesman Kevin Hand said: "We hope that lots of young people will get involved in tree planting again this year and take an active interest in their environment."

The Tree Council aims to improve the environment by planting trees and spreading knowledge about them, as well as acting as a discussion forum.

For more information call 020 8545 3483.

November 23, 2001 10:30